I did not start my adventures with computers using Windows. I started on a Tandy 1000 running DOS 3 or 4 with the Deskmate GUI when I was 9 or 10. However, I started using Windows with version 3.1 in 1992 at 11. I was a fan and a power user.

My expertise in Windows grew over the following decades. I recommended it to family and friends who were just learning how to use computers. Among my friends and family, I was the go-to IT support. I adopted and learned each new version of Windows.

Windows Link to heading

  • Windows 3.1 - really just a wrapper for DOS

  • Windows 95 - the first real version of Windows, and I remember spending hours on AOL with it

  • Windows 98 - more of the same, but with a better internet experience though

  • Windows 2000 - while not for the home user, I got my hands on it and played with it, loved it

  • Windows ME - I always liked to call this one Windows Mestake 1… ok so that falls kind of flat but yea… I am a dad, so I am allowed dad jokes.

  • Windows XP - in my opinion, one of the best operating systems ever released.

  • Windows Vista - I did not hate it as much as most casual users did. I stripped out the annoying stuff and fine-tuned it for my needs.

  • Windows 7 - This was a solid improvement over Windows Vista

  • Windows 8 - This almost made me switch to Linux, but it would not support my multiple monitor setup, and Microsoft corrected quickly with 8.1

  • Windows 10 - my favorite version of Windows. It just did what I wanted it to do. By this time, I was running 6 monitors and loving it.

  • Windows 11 - This is where my trust started to erode again, but not completely. I upgraded. It worked for what I needed. I was a bit miffed at needing to buy a new PC when my 5-year-old gaming rig still outperformed many newer systems, but I got it; it’s all about the security… yeah.

  • Windows AI - This is more an era than an OS. It was when Windows finally announced they were bringing recall to select PCs. I knew what this meant. Select meant select for now, soon, all and optional meant optional for now, soon, mandatory.

Linux Link to heading

With the announcement of Windows Recall, within 24 hours I had purchased a ThinkPad T460 from eBay. I had tested various operating systems and chosen Pop!_OS within a week. That was back in early 2024, and I have been happily using Pop!_OS for my daily driver since then.

My desktop is still Windows 11, but it’s mainly for gaming and some work stuff I need. You see, as a Software Engineer I maintain some software that requires Windows to build due to CGO integration for low-level Windows API support. So, I need at least one Windows machine to build and deploy on. However, I have been working to shift this over to a Docker container so I can move fully away from Windows.

What about gaming, you may ask? This is harder. I plan to buy the new Steam Machine when it comes out. That will take care of 99% of my gaming needs. The last two items that won’t work with are Roblox and Fortnite, both of which I keep playing with my kids. I am considering buying a PS5 to play those games as well.

If all goes as planned, I will be completely off Windows by the end of 2026

The Impact Link to heading

I know Microsoft doesn’t care about losing me as a customer. However, I think the overall implications are far more chilling for them. They are losing the hearts and minds of the power users who helped them grow as a company.

Now, when friends and family members come to me with their Windows problems, my response is, sorry… I don’t use Windows anymore. Have you considered switching to Linux?

I have heard the same thing from many of my friends in the tech industry too. Microsoft probably still doesn’t care, at least not yet.

However, they are suddenly losing the unofficial technical support system that evolved to support Windows.

Companies picked Windows in the past because they wanted a system their employees knew and that did not require training on.

I wonder what happens as we move forward, how many of those large juicy IT contracts does Microsoft keep now that Linux is getting friendlier to use, having more power users supporting and recommending it, and doesn’t have the same costs associated with it Windows does.

The largest danger to Microsoft is once you have lost that unofficial support network it is almost impossible to win them back. After my time with Linux as my daily driver, I could never go back to how limited the Windows ecosystem is.